Two eligible England players named in Italy World Cup training squad

Odogwu, aged 26, who transferred from Wasps to Stade Francais last year, previously represented England at the Under-18 and Under-20 levels and was part of Eddie Jones' 2021 Six Nations squad.

Despite his aspirations to play for England's senior team, Odogwu, who was born in Coventry and has Nigerian and Italian heritage, expressed his desire to represent Italy.

Odogwu was previously selected by Eddie Jones for England training camps, yet was never given the opportunity to make his international debut. Odogwu was apart of the England squad for the 2021 Guinness Six Nations, yet was never awarded a senior test cap.

Italy will commence their World Cup campaign on September 9 against Namibia in St Etienne, followed by pool matches against France, New Zealand, and Uruguay.

Fans of the Gallagher Premiership will remember Odogwu from his time at Wasps, as the explosive back combines blistering pace with a powerful first step. The source of many highlight reels for Wasps, Odogwu was forced to leave the Premiership after the Covernty club's administration last Autumn.

Odogwu's Italian decent enables him to be eligible for Kieran Crowley's side. However, the 26-year-old has gained England representation at age-group level. Odogwu came through the ranks whilst wearing the rose, during the 2016 U20s Six Nations, and 2017 World Rugby U20s Championship.

Along with Odogwu, Harlequins forward Dino Lamb has also been selected for the Italian squad. Lamb too is eligible to play for England, but has not yet been capped at senior level. This duo of English qualified stars will hope to book their spots on the plane to France, with the 2023 Rugby World Cup kicking off this September.

PROP
Filippo Alongi (Benetton Rugby, 1 Cap)
Paolo Buonfiglio (Zebre Parma, Esordiente)
Pietro Ceccarelli (Brive, 26 Caps)
Simone Ferrari (Benetton Rugby, 44 Caps)
Danilo Fischetti (London Irish, 30 Caps)
Ivan Nemer (Benetton Rugby, 11 Caps) – A Disposizione Dall’1 Luglio
Matteo Nocera (Zebre Parma, Esordiente)
Marco Riccioni (Saracens, 19 Caps)
Federico Zani (Benetton Rugby, 21 Caps)

HOOKER
Luca Bigi (Zebre Parma, 46 Caps)
Epalahame Faiva (Hurricanes, 5 Caps)
Gianmarco Lucchesi (Benetton Rugby, 17 Caps)
Marco Manfredi (Zebre Parma, 1 Cap)
Giacomo Nicotera (Benetton Rugby, 12 Caps)

SECOND ROW
Niccolò Cannone (Benetton Rugby, 30 Caps)
Edoardo Iachizzi (Vannes, 5 Caps)
Dino Lamb (Harlequins, Esordiente)
Federico Ruzza (Benetton Rugby, 41 Caps)
David Sisi (Zebre Parma, 27 Caps)
Andrea Zambonin (Zebre Parma, 2 Caps)

BACK ROW
Lorenzo Cannone (Benetton Rugby, 8 Caps)
Riccardo Favretto (Benetton Rugby, 1 Cap)
Toa Halafihi (Benetton Rugby, 9 Caps)
Michele Lamaro (Benetton Rugby, 26 Caps) – Capitano
Sebastian Negri (Benetton Rugby, 46 Caps)
Giovanni Pettinelli (Benetton Rugby, 12 Caps)
Manuel Zuliani (Benetton Rugby, 10 Caps)

SCRUMHALF: 
Alessandro Fusco (Zebre Parma, 13 Caps)
Alessandro Garbisi (Benetton Rugby, 4 Caps)
Martin Page-relo (Stade Toulousain, Esordiente)
Stephen Varney (Gloucester Rugby, 19 Caps)

FLYHALF:
Tommaso Allan (Harlequins, 71 Caps)
Giacomo Da Re (Benetton Rugby, 1 Cap)
Paolo Garbisi (Montpellier, 24 Caps)

CENTRES: 
Juan Ignacio Brex (Benetton Rugby, 23 Caps)
Enrico Lucchin (Zebre Parma, 1 Cap)
Leonardo Marin (Benetton Rugby, 6 Caps)
Tommaso Menoncello (Benetton Rugby, 10 Caps)
Luca Morisi (London Irish, 44 Caps)

BACK THREE: 
Pierre Bruno (Zebre Parma, 12 Caps)
Ange Capuozzo (Stade Toulousain, 10 Caps)
Simone Gesi (Zebre Parma, 1 Cap)
Montanna Ioane (Melbourne Rebels, 17 Caps)
Federico Mori (Bordeaux, 12 Caps)
Paolo Odogwu (Stade Francais, Esordiente)
Edoardo Padovani (Benetton Rugby, 44 Caps)

The team will begin their World Cup campaign in France against Argentina in Marseille on September 9th.

Below are some players who were not involved in the Six Nations but have the potential to strengthen England's squad.

The 70-times-capped, 6ft5in and 126kg England lock returns to Harlequins this summer having originally joined the Harlequins Academy as a 15-year-old playing for affiliate clubs Worthing and Horsham, staying with Quins until the age of 18 when he moved to Wasps.

Earning his Premiership debut as a teenager, Launchbury was named the Premiership’s Young Player of the Year award for the 2012/13 season.

The 31-year-old went on to establish himself as one of the premier locks in the country, becoming one of the most capped second rows in English history and going on to be named Wasps’ Club captain.

In a perplexing journey marred by injuries, Elliot Daly has emerged as a resilient force, navigating a tumultuous four-year cycle that kicked off with his transfer to Saracens amidst the infamous salary-cap scandal.

Since 2019, Daly's defensive capabilities have noticeably strengthened, but it is his instinctive synergy with Farrell that holds immense value for Borthwick's plans.

The undeniable bond between Farrell and Daly is an intergural asset that England must tap into, whether deployed as a formidable 10-13, 10-11, or 10-15 partnership.

The back-rower from London Irish has been in outstanding form for the Exiles this season, excelling in every aspect of the game.

Although Borthwick will have numerous choices in the back-row, Pearson's ability to play in all three positions and his reliability in the lineouts make him a valuable asset.

Pearson is a tough defender, and he also performs well in the breakdown, averaging over one turnover per match in the Premiership.

The 23-year-old, who has been playing for Bordeaux after leaving Wasps is one of the finest back-row prospects in the country and will join Saracens next season.

The former England Under 20’s captain will spend the remainder of the season in the Top 14, and then make the move back to the Gallagher Premiership in the summer on a long-term deal.

Willis spoke only last month about his ambition of playing for England together with his brother.

He joined Harlequins from Leicester Tigers for the 2019/20 season.

The flanker enjoyed a stellar rise in the closing stages of the 2015/16 season, making his senior debut for Leicester Tigers against Gloucester. He went on to make 26 appearances for Leicester, eight as a starter.

A standout for England at youth level, Evans was named in the U20 World Championship Dream Team in 2016. He was a member of England’s senior EPS squad of 45 back in 2016 at the tender age of 19.

Evans made 21 appearances in his debut season with Harlequins and added a further 16 in his second season in the club where he finished the Premiership season with more turnovers (29) than anyone other player.

Injury denied him a chance to feature in the Premiership Final for Harlequins, but the flanker played a pivotal role in their journey to the showpiece event.